Last Call! DFA Meeting June 6th

Written by: Brenda Bayne on Jun 1, 2007 10:08 AM EDT

Greetings DFA!

After 4 years, we are taking a long break. Our “last meeting” will be this Wednesday…Please stop by…..

@ Virtually Cuban   www.virtuallycuban.com 

Wednesday June 6th

 @7PM. See you there!   brenda   

DFA Meeting May 2, 2007

Written by: Brenda Bayne on Apr 27, 2007 10:12 AM EDT

Happy day DFA! Just a reminder of our monthly DFA gathering @ Virtually Cuban www.virtuallycuban.com  Wednesday May 2nd  @ 7PM. See you there!  brenda  

DFA Meeting April 4th 7PM

Written by: Brenda Bayne on Apr 1, 2007 2:59 PM EDT

Greeting DFA! 

It’s the first Wednesday of the Month. Time for DFA. Come share. 

Meeting Info:

AT:       Virtually Cuban2409 SW 13th Street  www.VirtuallyCuban.com

TIME:    7PM

DATE:   Wednesday, April 4th.

peace,brenda  371-7886   

DFA Linkup Notes – March 7, 2007

Written by: Brenda Bayne on Mar 14, 2007 8:20 PM EDT

Democracy for America Linkup Notes – March 7, 2007 

1.    Welcome to new members Will and Ada.  Will is from Vermont and Ada is from Boston.  Otherwise,we enjoyed a small and intimate group this month of about a dozen members.  Welcome also to school board member Eileen Roy and City Commissioner Jack Donovan, who were also here. 

2.    June 30th and July 1st there will be a DFA training in Tampa.  Anyone that missed our traininglast year may want to attend.  Check the DFAlink for more information.  We may be doing a one-day training  sometime this Fall, perhaps October or November, possibly with Steve Ybarra once again.  

3.    On May 12th, Debbie Boyd will be having a meeting regarding property tax reform at Live OakElementary from 6-8pm. 

4.    As I recently discovered the hard way by posting to it and having it bounce, the old listservGainesvilleFL4Democracy@yahoogroups.com is no more.  However, you can still post to DFAlink.  Just go to www.dfalink.com and login.  If you do not yet have an account, create one and join the Gainesville DFA Group.  Brenda tries to keep private emails (fromgvillegrassroots@bellsouthsave.net) limited to 2 a month. 

5.    The Coalition for Responsible Growth continues to oppose the development of SpringHills.  OnTuesday, May 1st, there will be a meeting at nearby Santa Fe Community College, Building EAuditorium, at 5pm.   Eileen Roy emphasized the school concurrency inequality issues that thisdevelopment would continue to create between the east and west sides of town.  

For moreinformation, visit www.savemillhopperroad.org. 

Right now, Mike Byerly (byerly@alachuacounty.us) is the only county commissioner opposing the SpringHills development.  Please write your other commissioners alerting them to your concerns:-     Paula Delaney (pdelaney@alachuacounty.us)-     Rodney Long (rjlong@alachuacounty.us)-     Cynthia Moore Chestnut (cmchestnut@alachuacounty.us)-     Lee Pinkoson (lpinkoson@alachuacounty.us) 

6.    Commissioner Donovan just came from a meeting of the Black-On-Black Crime Task Force and spokeabout how this issue is at the very core of societal failure.  School inequalities of resources would be greatly magnified if the expansion of SpringHills were allowed to continue.   

7.    Alachua County Democratic Party chair Jon Reiskind spoke of how 2007 will be the year wherethere will be great grassroots mobilization.  The ACDEC will be more committee-oriented.  Any registered Democrat can be a member of these committees and membership is highly encouraged. 

The committees are as follows:  Steering Committee, Certification Committee, Affirmative Action Committee, Budget & Finance Committee, Campaign Planning Committee (including Training Committee), Communications Committee [aka Public Relations Committee], Data Management Committee, Events & Service Committee, Fund Raising Committee, Legislative Committee [aka Issues Committee], Membership/Credentials Committee, Office Management Committee, Outreach & Education Committee [aka Education Committee], Policy and Bylaws Committee, Veterans Affairs Committee, Web Management Committee, and Young Democrats Committee. 

On March 24th, the ACDEC will be holding a grassroots training session.  More info will be available on that at the next Democratic Party meeting next Wednesday, March 14th, in 7pm in the Jack Durrance Auditorium in the County Administration Building downtown. 

8.    Last night’s election saw a measly 11% of registered voters.  Despite the disappointingturnout, the Democratic encumbents, Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan and Commissioner Craig Lowe, won by overwhelming margins. 

9.    Shelly Packer and OneCorps will be holding a canned food drive.  There will be a dropoffreceptacle at the ACDEC office if anyone has anyone to bring by.  All donations will be greatly appreciated.  As state treasurer and trainer of the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), Shelly mentioned PDA’s efforts to lobby each Florida county to adopt a paper ballot system.  This will also be on a state-by-state basis. 

10.   WGOT, the low power FM community radio station founded by the Civic Media Center, will be onthe air soon.  Our next meeting is tomorrow, March 18th, at 5:30pm at the CMC, 1021 W. University Avenue. 

11.   The City of Alachua will be having elections after all!  In an emergency meeting last night,the Alachua City Commission voted, after much public outcry, that challenging candidates had until 4pm today to correct their deficiencies in order to qualify for the March 7th election.     

DFA Meeting Notes February 7, 2007

Written by: Brenda Bayne on Feb 17, 2007 8:49 AM EST

DFA February 7, meeting notes War in Iraq.  Post cards were distributed to write to our senators.Senator Mel Martinez, 317 Hart Senate Office Bldg, Washington DC 20510Senator Bill Nelson, 716 Hart Senate Office Bldg, Washington DC 20510 

Training.  A training session in the fall, led by an expert.  Followup training sessions, perhaps monthly, coordinating with various groups.  Shelley Packer said local leaders also available. 

President 08.  Florida may move primary to Feb. 5.  Important not to splinter. 

Voter registration.  Black caucus working on this.  Also, special effort to restore civil rights for felons.(Lauren Poe's column in Gainesville Sun Feb. 4)  Contact Gainesville Civil Rights Restoration Center at (352) 376-2442, or Lizzie Jenkins. 

Gainesville City Election Tuesday March 6. Donations and volunteers were requested for two officials up for re-election.

Mayor  Pegeen Hanrahan    PegeenHanrahan@aol.com           

Pegeen Hanrahan Campaign, 1938 NW 7th Lane,  Gainesville FL 32603 

Commissioner  Craig Lowe  CraigLowe4@gmail.com           

Craig Lowe Campaign,  1034 NE 5th Avenue, Gainesville FL 32601 

League of Women Voters Candidates Forum 

Thursday Feb. 15           

7 - 9 pm   Matheson Museum, 513 E. University Ave. 

Labor:  Matthew reported on the New Alliance, partnering on issues, becoming involved with training. 

Democrats: planning activities when there is no campaign, and  encouraging  membership. 

SpringHills:  Rich Burgess described citizen action on the proposed huge development on I-75 and 39th Ave.  The county commission needs to be lobbied that we do not need development on this scale.  It is urgent to stop the road from 83rd to Millhopper.  www.saveMillhopperRoad.org

Next meeting:  Talbot Elementary,  Thurs. Feb. 15  6 pm. 

City of Alachua election  April 10.  Two seats are open.  Qualifying dates are Feb. 16-23. County Supervisor of Elections Pam Carpenter will be running the election.  

Progressive radio station.  Fred Sowder reported progress on WGOT, a low-power station at 94.7 shared with two churches.  Organizing meetings at the Civic Media Center.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WGOT-LP 

Veterans.  Mae Leone urged concern for injured military and those called  for repeated tours in combat. 

Health Care.  Jack Price and Wes Martins want a federal mandate for more training and services in geriatric care.  Only 9 of 144 medical schools offer it.     HR 676 for comprehensive health care needs more co-sponsors.     Bush budget proposes cuts for Medicare and Medicaid. 

DFA monthly meetings will resume Feb 2007

Written by: Brenda Bayne on Jan 2, 2007 8:06 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for America/Gainesville

Greetings all,

 We will return to our regular First Wednesday of the Month meetings on Feb 7, 2007 at 7PM at Virtually Cuban 2409 SW 13th Street, Gainesville. 

See you then!

brenda

DFA September 6th 2006 Meeting notes

Written by: Brenda Bayne on Sep 8, 2006 12:01 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for America/Gainesville

Greetings DFA/Gainesville!

Thank you Fred for the meeting notes!!

We had 19 folks in attendance this month. We hope to see more of you next time!



The general election is November 7th. Please consider voting absentee!


September 8th Noon - Democratic Unity Day on the steps of the Hippodrome State Theatre. Its purpose is to gather ALL candidates from the primaries to join together and show party unity.


September 20th - A World Café ---local "think tank" ALL encouraged to come. We need you!!!
7 - 8:30pm

Al Gore Film discussion / Sustainability for Alachua County

300 East University Avenue



Every Thursday-- next to the Hippodrome/Maudes area 7 - 8:30pm (www.conversationcafe.org)



Wes' suggestion: we will be sending letters congratulating our successful and unsuccessful primary and school board candidates: Chuck Chestnut, Deb Cupples, Clint Robinson, and Ed Jennings, Jr. We would also like to send PUBLIC letters to some of their opponents stating that they may want to consider rethinking their positions since they won by such slim margins: Tina Pinkoson, Ginger Childs, Lee Pinkoson, etc.


Mae Leone is donating $400 for the ACDEC to be able to buy two cell phones for short-term phone bank use until the midterm election. To donate toward the cause, you can send a check to ACDEC, Attn: Mae Leone, PO Box 223, Gainesville, FL 32602.


Stephanie Sims of the UF College Democrats had two event announcements: Senator Russ Feingold will speak this Sunday at 1:30pm in Jacksonville at the Fine Arts Center at the University of North Florida (she has free tickets contact Steph for more info ufcollegedemocrats@yahoo.com ) Also, Accent will be bringing the Rev. Al Sharpton next Tuesday evening at the O'Connell Center.


WGOT is getting underway for more info contact Fred Sowder phredkid@bellsouth.net


The Astronomy Dept at UF & Williams Elementary School & The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center are partnering together for an evening of Stargazing, food and fun: "The Stars Shine on East Gainesville" September 29th starting at 6:30 pm for more info contact Vivian Filer: vlfiler@bellsouth.net This should be FUN!


Speakers:



Barbara Ferguson "Talk Watch" - gets information out to talk radio shows that rebut the majority of the area talk hosts on WSKY (97.3fm) and WBXY (99.5fm). Please contact Barbara for more info barbara2pack@yahoo.com Help make an impact!



Beth Michaelson - Nutrition workshop Friday September 8th from 7 to 9pm. The topic will be cholesterol myths with speaker Sally Fallon. The importance of nutritional foods will also be discussed. The workshop will continue all day Saturday with other topics by Sally. This will be at PK Yonge and it's $10 for Friday and $35 for Saturday. For more information, contact Beth at 376-0309.



Eileen Roy - Alachua County School Board - thanks everyone for their support of Deb & Clint's campaigns. It was a steep mountain to climb and we should hardly be disappointed with the close result. Concurrency is a major issue and developers gave much money to both incumbents.

Anyone wishing to participate in the School Board Watch Group can get more information from Eileen at raroy4@bellsouth.net



Dave Bruderly - thanks for your support so far as well as the endorsement of Democracy for America. October 1st will feature many speakers at the Dancing Horse Farm in Ocala. See www.bruderly.com for more info. With only a few hundred thousand dollars in donations, we can overcome an incumbent with a two-million dollar war chest.

DFA Meeting notes August 2, 2006

Written by: Brenda Bayne on Aug 7, 2006 5:22 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for America/Gainesville

1. We had 27 members in attendance this evening. New members: Susan & Keith. They've already
signed up on DFA Link. They were recruited by Mae Leone on during her DNC canvassing efforts last Saturday.

2. Nice short meeting. We will be done by 8pm. Thanks to Carlos and Sean for staying open late
for us again.

3. September 5th is Florida's primary. Democrats and Republicans will be having primaries and the
school board races will also be decided on this day.

4. DFA national wants us to submit good stories that are happening in DFA chapters all over the
country. You can submit your story via the blue postcards that Brenda handed out or by snail mail at PO Box 8313, Burlington, VT 05402, or online at www.dfalink.com/volunteerstories... .

5. Fred Sowder will be the contact to coordinate phonebanking for the Democratic Party of Alachua
County. We may be doing a phone bank session this Saturday at Alta Graphics in North Gainesville.
If you're interested in participating in a future phone bank, you can contact Fred Pratt at prattwheels1@aol.com .

6. Betsy Malone Hurst will be running for Alachua County Commission, District 2 in the Democratic
Primary against Lee Pinkoson. She works as a school psychologist and is a lifelong resident of Alachua County. She regularly attends county commission meetings on environmental and land use issues. She has signs and palm cards available and needs your vote and support September 5th.
She "represents citizens and not big interests."

7. Deb Cupples and Clint Robinson are running for school board and need your support. Susan
Bottcher is Deb's campaign manager. For more information, visit www.debcupples.com and www.voteclint.com . Both candidates would also appreciate your support for signholding starting 2 weeks before the election. Eileen Roy appreciates your support for both of these candidates as they are people who really want to serve as opposed to maintaining the status quo. Please announce your support on local listservs and emails to your friends.

8. Sadie Darnell was asked to attend today in an effort to explain herself. In her past, she has
given money to the likes of Steve Oelrich, Tony Domenech, and Ed Braddy and some would like to know why.

9. Charles Chestnut III came to support his son, who is running for State House District 23. He
has served 2 terms on the Gainesville city commission and has been termed out of office. Chuck Chestnut would be very grateful for your support.

10. Debbie Boyd is running for State House District 11. Shelly Packer asked us for her support.

11. Janet Messer and Sally Guthrie from the Alachua County Democratic Executive Committee were
here to let you know about the monthly meetings that they have in the Alachua County meeting auditorium the second Wednesday of every month.

12. 34 more days until the primary. 20 days until early voting begins. Please help your favorite
candidates as much as you possibly can.

13. Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment is a state amendment that is being supported by Vince
Lipsio. It will be on the ballot in 2008 and will require municipalities to amend zoning by referendum. Vince has petitions if anyone is interested in signing them.

14. Jack Price announced that Bruce Springsteen will be performing songs from his Pete Seeger
Sessions album on WUFT-FM (89.1) this Sunday at 5pm.

15. Phil Kellerman from Harvest of Hope appeared to talk of his organizations support for
immigrant farm workers. The Avon Park ordinance was defeated largely thanks to public outcry.

16. Charlie Grapski has announced that he will be stepping out of the District 23 State House
race. He needs your support to fight the charges that Clovis Watson and the City of Alachua. The state attorney offered to drop their charges against Charlie if he would not continue his litigation against Mr. Watson and he refused. Charlie now needs to raise approximately $20,000 to mount his case and would like you support to take back the City of Alachua. He has an email list that you can join to receive information regarding this information. Charlie has also thrown his support to former opponent Chuck Chestnut in the District 23 race.

Democracy for America Gainesville Linkup Notes - July 5, 2006

Written by: Brenda Bayne on Jul 7, 2006 5:55 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for America/Gainesville

Democracy for America Gainesville Linkup Notes - July 5, 2006

(DFA Steering Committee Present: Abby, Brenda, Janet, Mae, Wes, Fred)

1. Welcome back to our organizer Brenda Bayne! We had 30 folks in attendance.


2. AGH update: the meeting at The Savannah Grande was very well-attended and a task force has been formed. There will be a Citizens' Congressional Meeting at the Thelma Bolton Center, July 8th, 9:30 to 12:30pm about the John Conyers' health care bill in Congress (H.R. 676), sponsored by the Alachua County Labor Party. Rep. Corrine Brown has signed on as a co-sponsor. This is a time for citizens to speak out about their health care situation. Hope to see you there.



3. Several people in attendance still have tickets to the "We the People" Barbeque sponsored by the Alachua County Democratic Party this Sunday, July 9th from 3 to 8pm. at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Please buy them now. Features include kids' games and rides, a planetarium, both of the gubernatorial candidates - Rod Smith and Jim Davis, other candidates, etc. Even if you cannot make the event, please still consider buying tickets so they can be donated to those who normally could not afford to attend. You can purchase advance tickets on line at www.alachuacountydemocrats.org or the Democratic Party Office, 1731 N. Main St., Gainesville, hours 11-6 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and 1-4 on Saturday.



4. Dave Bruderly seeks the endorsement of DFA. This will be dependent upon individual members to write to DFA in Burlington stating why Bruderly's campaign is worthy of their endorsement.



5. The Democratic Primary is about 60 days away! Candidates for sheriff, state house, and state senate will be vying for support. Although DFA does not make official endorsements, we encourage the endorsement of progressive candidates, including those that support us in return by coming to our linkups!



6. The precinct action network is doing phone banking Monday, July 17th at Alta Graphics () There will be training sessions at 5:30pm and 7pm and we will be making calls until 9pm. Please come volunteer for all or part of the time. For more info, contact Fred Pratt at prattwheels1@aol.com or 335-2986.



7. Several people in attendance still have tickets to the "We the People" Barbeque sponsored by the Alachua County Democratic Party this Sunday, July 9th from 3 to 8pm. at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Please buy them now. Features include kids' games and rides, a planetarium, both of the gubernatorial candidates - Rod Smith and Jim Davis, other candidates, etc. Even if you cannot make the event, please still consider buying tickets so they can be donated to those who normally could not afford to attend. You can purchase advance tickets on line at www.alachuacountydemocrats.org or the Democratic Party Office, 1731 N. Main St., Gainesville, hours 11-6 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and 1-4 on Saturday



8. Brenda will attempt to get Gov. Howard Dean to come to the Lawton Chiles Dinner this year on Sept. 21st.



9. School board candidates that need your support: Deb Cupples (www.debcupples.com) and Clint Robinson (www.voteclint.com). Eileen Roy wholeheartedly supports both. She toured the Rinker School of Building Construction this week and needs help with budgeting brainstorms such as the vocational breakthroughs occurring there. Both candidates will help to do exactly that!



10. If you haven't seen Al Gore's film An Inconvenient Truth yet, please do so! It will be playing at the Butler Plaza cinema at least through tomorrow. Abby mentioned ways that we can take steps to save the environment such as those mentioned at the end of the film. Brenda is pushing for Gore '08! Eileen suggested that students could sell energy efficient lightbulbs for fundraisers instead of candy. Fighting GRU's proposed coal plant is paramount, also.



11. On July 8th, 10-11:30am: "Solutions to Violence" @ the Quaker Meeting House. See Brenda for more info



12. On July 11th at 5pm, the Alachua County Commission will vote on the purchase of Barr Hammock as a part of the Alachua County Conservation Trust. ($10 Million) Please come and show your support at the Jack Durrance Auditorium downtown if you can.



13. Wes wants us to start thinking about collecting toys for the underprivileged children of Alachua County. The focus would be toys for kids 10-18 years of age.



14. State House District 23 Candidates need your support: Charlie Grapski (www.grapskidefense.org) and Bonnie Burgess (www.burgessforhouse.com). Chuck Chestnut is also in the race but was not in attendance.



15. The Civic Media Center will have their monthly film series at the Hippodrome on July 10th. This month's film is Inside Iraq: The Untold Stories. Tickets are $3-10 sliding scale and shows will be at 7 & 9pm. Howard Zinn's play and one-man show, Marx in Soho, will be at the Matheson Museum on July 21st. Tix are $12 adv., $15 door.

June 7, 2006 Meeting Notes

Written by: Brenda Bayne on Jul 4, 2006 6:56 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for America/Gainesville

Submitted by Fred Sowder....thanks Fred!!
DFA Gainesville Meeting Notes - June 7, 2006


Welcome to Summer in Gainesville! We had 14 members at this month's linkup. Welcome to new member John Haswell, who has a private legal practice on NW 1st Street.


Wes has tickets for sale for the "We the People" BBQ at the Alachua County Fairgrounds on July 9th. They're $10 each. Also, interested people were invited to sign out groups of 10 tickets to sell them to friends, etc.


Democracy Fest is quickly approaching. This year's edition will be in San Diego over 3 days July 14-16. For more information, visit www.democracyfest.us.


DFA chapters across the country are "talking about Iraq" with a series of forums on the Iraq War. Fred will see if Dennis Jett would be interested in speaking at a DFA sponsored forum. Jim Desjardins suggested that the large meeting room in the Downtown Library would be an ideal situation. This can be coincided with our monthly linkup but would not have to be. Wes has tried to contact the intern in Burlington who is responsible for coordinating these forums, Ari Fertig, but has been unsuccessful in contacting him thus far.


Janet Woods announced the upcoming meeting to save Alachua General Hospital. Shands AGH is in danger of closing, leaving many East Gainesville residents without close access to health care. There will be a special meeting regarding AGH's preservation at the Savannah Grande on June 17th from 9:30am to 12:30pm. We need to pack the house with concerned citizens who want to save AGH! Many city and county commissioners will be in attendance, including Mayor Hanrahan, so please come by and show your support!


The Alachua County DEC will be holding a cleanup of their adopt-a-highway stretch of road, which is on NW 43rd Street between Newberry Road and 16th Avenue. We will be meeting in the parking lot on the NW corner of Newberry & 43rd this Saturday morning at 8:30 and should last about an hour. Please let Janet Messer know if you can volunteer ASAP at jzm@atlantic.net as she will have to get you an orange work vest from public works.


Alex Sink is running for Florida CFO and will be having a series of Porch Parties as a part of her "Running in Heels" campaign. On Saturday, June 25th at 4pm, Alex will speak with Porch Parties throughout the state in the first-of-its-kind, state-wide grassroots fundraising conference call. You can sign up at www.alexsinkforcfo.com and click on the "Porch Parties" link. For more information, contact David Salie at (202) 903-6813 or events@alexsinkforcfo.com .


Yesterday saw a series of primaries along with a few special elections across the country. A bright spot was DFA-List candidate Debra Bowen winning the Secretary of State election in California. Unfortunately, DFA-List candidate Francine Busby came up short in her bid for the seat formerly held by Duke Cunningham by 4% or about 5,000 votes. She lost her last congressional election by 22 points, so this was a significant improvement. Tom Hughes added, "If Democrats everywhere improve that much this November, we'll have a Democratic House and Senate!"